Students (below) from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David School of Applied Computing recently participated in TECHSTARS SWANSEA 2017. Students were offered the opportunity to pitch their ideas for a start-up to a panel of experts including: Paul Harwood (Co-Founder of TechHub Swansea), Andrew Thomas (CEO of BrightSeed Ltd.), Anne Swift (Enterprise Manager for Welsh Government) and Kathryn Penaluna (Enterprise Manager at UWTSD). The event was organised by Senior Lecturer James Williams who teaches on the School’s Enterprise and Innovation module.

James Williams said: “I arranged the event because I know there is great potential within every person and when people are given the opportunity to apply themselves in a supportive environment they discover that potential for themselves. In this case I arranged the event to allow 2nd Year Business Technology & Computing students studying the Enterprise & Innovation module to have the opportunity to pitch their innovative ideas and prototypes applications to a panel of independent judges from industry. The feedback they received was beyond expectation, it was very positive and I’m sure the students learned a lot from the experience.”

First prize went to a project called Sneaky Brain (Team pic above), an App which contains Maths games and puzzles designed to help Primary School children strengthen their Maths skills. Michael Johns, who is a member of the winning group and a student on the BSc Computer Games Development, said: “What was nice about group work is the ability to bounce ideas off each other which was further enhanced as we come from different programmes so that we were able to build on ideas from different viewpoints and knowledge.” Andrew Humphreys, who was also in the winning group said: “The biggest thing that I learned about was how enjoyable branding is, and the many opportunities there are to be creative within a tech company. There is a need to create new apps that are different to others already in the market.” Congratulations to Team members: Andrew Humphreys, Michael Johns, Ashley Vessey, Oliver Jordan, Kieran Hawkins.

The standard of entries was so high that second prize had to give jointly. The two entries who placed second were called GigaLife (Team pic above: left), and Parking (Team pic above: right).

GigaLife is a role play game that helps raise awareness about Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Team leader Evan Smith, who is a student on the BSc Computer Games Development course, said: “The group project was lots of fun, the character development was challenging as [main character] Sofia is me and it was difficult delving into my past experiences. Each character owns a theme and Sofia interacts with them – she has options to apply emotions and you learn more about yourself as you interact with other peoples.” Congratulations to Team members: Evan Smith, Samuel Mounter, Samuel Goacher, Kyle Thomas, Cerys Nickels.

Parking is a mobile app which gives live updates to show the availability of parking spaces within a city. It will give directions using GIS to the carpark and will time your visit to let you know when the ticket is about to run out. There are also plans to develop the app in the near future to include features that will link the app to parking attendants and to be able to show which bay number you are in to find your car when you return. Congratulations to Team members: Callum Whitcombe, Paige Harris, Ben Green.

Judge and Enterprise Manager at UWTSD Kathryn Penaluna said: “The event demonstrates creativity and the passion required to take forward an idea with a social conscience.” Fellow judge Andrew Thomas added: “It’s really nice to see exciting and passionate pitches for business ideas going forward.”

Applied Computing Graduate and Successful Entrepreneur Elliot Thomas (left) returned to the School today to share what he has learned with our students. Elliot (Winner of Start-Up Weekend Swansea) secured funding and support from several backers and has started two Businesses since graduating Fuzmo (a Pet Picture sharing App) and Skippr (an Instagram Marketing App).

Students photo-bombing 🙂

The students thoroughly enjoyed Elliot’s talk and we would like to thank Elliot for returning to the School and look forward to welcoming him back in the future :-). Thank you Elliot – Good luck with your new ventures and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

A delegation from Zambia visited Swansea’s School of Applied Computing last week – please see some of the photos below. The School is now looking to develop further links in the future with the possibility of student project work and the teaching of Zambian school teachers. The delegation also shared some of their innovative teaching methods for Teaching Computing with little resources demonstrating very good practice within the field of frugal innovation.

Swansea’s Techhub Start-up Weekend will start on the 21st November. If you are looking to start a business or gain some business start-up experience with someone who has a great idea this weekend is for you. Entrepreneur, Software Developers, Designers and Marketers all attend the event to work together on a new business idea that they then present as a team to the judges on the Sunday night. Great Prizes available and Great experience to enhance your CV. + You will be provided with free breakfast lunch dinner drinks and snacks all weekend to keep you going + FREE PIZZA ;-).

The event is taking place at the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea (located behind Sainsbury’s), we are meeting at 6pm on the 21st Nov. Tickets normally cost £35, however if you are a student of the School of Applied Computing UWTSD you go for free. To reserve a place simply e-mail james.williams@sm.uwtsd.ac.uk.

Technology has and is revolutionising the way we live and work – but believe it or not, it’s just getting started. Technology is getting better and better and in the future – the possibilities are infinite.

Technology is a very exciting area. As new technology emerges and evolves it continues to enrich and enhance our lives, such as:

Helping us to share and communicate with family friends or work colleagues;

Empowering us to bring our ideas to life and create in an infinite number of ways;

Entertain ourselves with music movies games or various social-media platforms.

Computers operated by the mind motion and emotion, wearable technology, environmental technology and advanced medical treatments are among the emerging technologies that will enhance our lives and reshape the future. Some recent developments include:

The internet of things in which the physical objects around us are connected to the web will make our environment more interactive including such things as Smart Homes Cars, Offices, Cafes, Public and Community Spaces.

Google Glass that allow us to live in an Augmented Reality, being able to view social media feeds, text, play games, navigate with Google Maps, take photos etc… other tech companies are bound to innovate and create different versions with increasing features and possibilities soon.

Virtual Reality gaming is here in the form of Oculus Rift – this 3D headset lets you feel that you are actually inside a video game. This is the beginning of the revolution for next-generation gaming.

Wearable Computing, recent developments include gadgets with flexible displays, making it possible to wrap a handset around your wrist, turning it into a bracelet that plays your favourite music or displays Social Media updates. Many forecast that flexible electronics will give rise to smart fabrics, making clothing items with built-in music-players, changeable colours and patterns, or heaters (for the colder months) a reality.

Robotics will see intelligent machines or robots expand beyond manufacturing and enter our lives to assist our working and personal lives. Maybe someday soon, your new robot friend will help you to complete tasks, will help around the house and help you make a delicious meal.

Advances in electronics and nanotechnology will continue to make computers ever smaller, slimmer and multi-functional. Increasing Philanthropic initiatives coupled with low-cost Smartphone’s tablets and communication methods will continue to reach developing parts of the world, providing hard-to-reach community’s access to the Global Connected Community.

The World Economic Forum has compiled a list of the most potentially influential technologies currently being developed. Each innovation was selected for its capacity to have a real and positive impact on the world, according to the WEF’s Global Agenda Council on Emerging Technologies topping the list is “brain-computer interfaces” which would build on the already available technology which allows people to type by monitoring their electrical activity in their brain. The technology could make it possible for people with disabilities to operate wheelchairs and other equipment using their thoughts. In its report the council stated:

Technology has become perhaps the greatest agent of change in the modern world. While never without risk, positive technological breakthroughs promise innovative solutions to the most pressing global challenges of our time.

The council wants to see governments working with researchers and businesses to promote the emerging technologies which could bring great improvements to many people’s lives. Martina Larkin, senior director and head of the Network of Global Agenda Councils, said: “Close cooperation between governments, industry and academia is essential to harness their potential.” And Noubar Afeyan, chair of the Global Agenda Council on Emerging Technologies and CEO of Flagship Ventures, said:

“These breakthroughs show the boundless potential for technology to have a positive impact on society.”

TechHub Swansea is a New community and workspace for tech entrepreneurs in the City and becomes the fifth TechHub location after London and Manchester in the UK, and Riga and Bucharest in Europe.

TechHub with links to Google and Blackberry, nurture tech entrepreneurs, and provide a place where they can work, meet, collaborate, network, learn and have fun. TechHub state:

“We provide physical and virtual spaces that enable technology startups to work smarter, develop faster and increase their chance of success. How? Through our one-vision global community… Entrepreneurs and their teams drop in or set up shop, advice flows freely (so does beer and pizza), angels appear, relationships blossom.” (1)

The TechHub community and workspace in Swansea is designed to create opportunities for entrepreneurs and start-ups in the region to create new products and hi-tech jobs in and around the City.

In an article for WalesOnline by Rupert Hall, Matt Warren, entrepreneur and co­founder of TechHub Swansea said:

“We’re thrilled! Opening a TechHub in Swansea will massively boost the region’s existing tech businesses and help them compete on an international scale, while also being five minutes from the beach.” (2)

In a recent Blog post TechHub state:

“We are proud to partner with the Welsh Government, both local Universities and of course our global partners, Google, Blackberry and Telefonica’s BlueVia to bring TechHub to Swansea.” (3)

The Heart of Creativity and the Bright Spark within us all: a Unified Model of Intelligence and Creativity for the 21st Century. This session will outline a Unified Model of Intelligence and Creativity, which includes multiple intelligences such as Physical Cognitive Emotional Intuitive and Divine intelligence as competencies in the process of learning and growth, Self-Realisation and Actualisation. The Model encompasses and describes the elusive light of illumination, the bright Spark within us all and aims to assist us in clearly understanding the process of Creativity and Innovation from concept to creation in order to enhance these qualities within.

“I had an Amazing time at the HEEG Innovation & Enterprise Event in London. Thank you to HEEG for the opportunity to Present and collaborate with other pioneering educators scientists researchers and industry professionals. It was a great opportunity to network and I am sure several positive collaborative initiatives will result. Visiting London is always a great Opportunity to enjoy the thriving and civilized culture, and a quick stop off in Millies Cookies and the Bagel Factory at Paddington always makes the journey home that much Sweeter”.

Congratulations to Swansea Met Applied Computing graduates Max Willems (CISCO 2009) and Daniel Morris (Web Development 2011) and Appah Prince a Swansea University graduate who have set up a business called Room Paddy. The business aim is to make travel more social, fun, enjoyable and pleasant.

Good luck in the Lloyds TSB Enterprise Awards and we wish you all the very best for your continued Success.